POULTICE

is an application which is both soft and moist. It is at the present day nearly always used hot, though an ice poultice is Gecesroualy used for applying cold. An ice-bag is, however, much more convenient. Poultices are not nowadays applied to wounds or boils, fomentations being used instead, as they are antiseptic. But to apply heat to the unbroken skin the poultice is the better, as it retains its heat longer than the fomentation does. The linseed poultice is the one wo recommend, as the bread eer soon turns sour. TO MAKE A [s. 397]